Who is ISTE?

ISTE is a California Corporation chartered to provide System Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) products. ISTE is composed of a unique work force of senior scientists and engineers having a high level of experience and capability in all aspects of the U.S. Space Program. For the most part, they are composed of ex-Aerospace Corporation employees with both program and technical specialist experience. Selective government and industry personnel round out the work force. ISTE personnel have experience in all NRO, DoD, NASA, and most commercial space programs. They have worked in a close teamwork arrangement with both government and industry. Consequently, they are thoroughly familiar with the requirements and needs of government SPO's, prime contractors, and subcontractors.

What does ISTE do?

ISTE personnel supplement the client's workforce. In the proposal phase, ISTE personnel can assist in strategic planning, perform architectural studies, synthesize conceptual designs, and assist in proposal writing. In addition, ISTE personnel are experienced in proposal assessment and can contribute in RED/GOLD teams and other proposal review activities. In the contractual award phase, ISTE personnel can assist in early System Engineering activities, construct operational concepts, create program test plans, prepare for early launch and orbit operations, and other important program activities. In addition, they can provide valuable assistance in preparing for system design reviews, preliminary design reviews, and critical design reviews. ISTE personnel are experienced in conducting objective, independent reviews. ISTE can assist in program development activities by troubleshooting program problem areas and participating in readiness reviews prior to important program milestones.

How does ISTE do it?

ISTE works closely with the client's management to determine the technical support requirement and the time period in which the support is needed. In many cases, the requirement definition need not be precisely defined because ISTE personnel are experienced in assessing program needs and can estimate required levels of effort. ISTE provides unique experienced technical support to supplement the client's existing work force. ISTE personnel are experienced working in Integrated Product Team (IPT's) and can function in either team member or team leader roles. Best results are achieved when ISTE personnel work at the client's facility in a team atmosphere and within the client's management structure. Working within the structure described above, ISTE personnel generate and prepare the required engineering and technical products. The Capabilities page illustrates some of the technical specialties and programs in which ISTE has expertise. This technical expertise provides clients with a strong system engineering capability on a "as needed basis."

ISTE Availability

ISTE provides "the right technical support at the right time." Experienced, highly qualified technical teams can be put together quickly for particular tasks. When the tasks are completed, ISTE can be removed. This approach provides the client with an outstanding technical capability at the lowest possible cost. Expensive "standing armies" are eliminated and the permanent workforce can be maintained at an efficient level. ISTE support is available essentially on an instantaneous basis. With a senior, experienced workforce, ISTE teams can be quickly formulated and start contributing immediately with a minimum time to "come up to speed." This approach provides high quality technical capability in the most efficient manner.

ISTE Cost Advantage

The business approach described in the preceding sentences provides the highest quality technical capability at the lowest cost because of the "right technical support at the right time" concept. In addition, this high quality technical support is provided at very competitive hourly rates.